Punters back Froch in Tumble show

Louis Smith who is to showcase his medal-winning skills - along with other Team GB gymnasts - with a performance to launch BBC1 series Tumble.

Boxer Carl Froch has seen his odds slashed for BBC1's new celebrity gymnastic show Tumble ahead of its launch today as viewers predict he could be a big-hitter.

Bookmaker William Hill said half of all the money staked on the show has been for a win by the fighter who retained his IBF and WBA super middleweight titles earlier in the year against George Groves, with his price now at 5-1, from an initial 14-1.

Actor John Partridge is the favourite to triumph in the new series, at 4-1, which will see stars tackle a variety of gymnastic disciplines, under the eye of judges such as Louis Smith and Nadia Comaneci.

Other fancied contestants include former Blue Peter host and actor Peter Duncan at 11-2. He is the oldest figure in the competition at 60, after TV fitness guru Mr Motivator - a year his senior - was forced to withdraw after dislocating a knee in training.

The new Saturday night series will also feature former Sugababe Amelle Berrabah, Lucy Mecklenburgh who features in The Only Way Is Essex and ex-Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding.

The bookmaker is giving figures of 4/6 that Tumble does not get commissioned for a second series.

"It is hard to imagine Tumble being a ratings smash but all will be revealed tonight," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.